MRes Environmental Management

at University of Bolton

This Master of Research (MRes) degree combines taught modules with work-based learning and a significant amount of supervised research. You’ll be expected to study three taught modules (including an option that allows you to focus on a particular specialism), undertake two work-based projects, and complete an in-depth programme of research and investigation culminating in your dissertation. Overall, we’ll expect you to be fairly autonomous and self-directed in your studies, but of course we’ll offer you plenty of encouragement and support along the way.
 

For the taught modules we’ll use a range of teaching and learning approaches, including lectures, seminars, workshops, practical sessions and tutorials. These will be supported by online discussions and activities posted on the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE). The work-based project modules and dissertation will involve workshops, independent learning and tutor support; which may be face-to-face or through the VLE. Our experienced team will support you to find suitable work-based learning opportunities that enable you to achieve the learning outcomes for the MRes. You may conduct the research for your projects as part of an agreed placement or at the University as part of commissioned work.
 

Our assessment strategy is designed to ensure that you achieve the overall aims and learning outcomes of the programme, as well as the learning outcomes for individual modules. The types of assessment you’ll be required to complete fall into two general categories: formative and summative. For both purposes, the major forms required for this MRes are reports, presentations and portfolios.
 

Formative assessments are activities that don’t contribute to your overall module grade, but are designed to help you organise and develop your learning. Your formative assessments will be marked and you’ll receive feedback on your level of achievement. This feedback will support your skills development and understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses. Summative assessments will evaluate your achievement and the marks you gain will contribute to your overall module grade. You’ll also receive feedback on these assessments, so you’ll know what you have done well and where you could improve.
 

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Research Skills and Methods
• Environmental Management Principles and Practices
• Theory of Risk Assessment
• Hazardous Substances
• Environmental Media
• Meteorology
• Environmental Project Management
• Work-based Project 1
• Work-based Project 2
• Dissertation
   

• Normally, you should have successfully completed an honours degree, or an equivalent qualification, in a relevant subject; for instance, a science or engineering subject.
• You should also have appropriate work experience.
• We'll also consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). 

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £12,950

Environmental managers are often responsible for overseeing the environmental performance of an organisation. You may establish where improvements can be made and ensure compliance with environmental legislation. Your remit may be wide, which means you could be reviewing a whole operation, carrying out environmental audits and assessments, identifying and resolving environmental problems and ensuring necessary changes are implemented.
 

Some of the advanced skills you’ll possess after completing this course include research and analysis, competence in developing arguments from scientific, ethical and philosophical perspectives, planning and project-management skills, and a broad understanding of local, national and global environmental issues.
 

Graduates can also use this qualification as a stepping-stone to enter a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and postgraduate study may be required. Roles include:

• Consultancy
• Education and training
• Environmental engineering
• Marine biology
• Nature conservation
• Recycling and sustainability
• Waste management
• Water treatment and quality
• Environmental health
• Town and transport planning